commencement
noun
com·mence·ment
kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt 
1
: an act, instance, or time of commencing
They awaited the commencement of the trial.
2
a
: the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas
A Nobel Prize winner will speak at the commencement.
b
: the period of activities at this time
Commencement will kick off with a family reception followed by a banquet.
Examples of commencement in a Sentence
A poet will speak at the commencement.
there was a large turnout at the commencement of the conference, but the numbers dwindled as it progressed
Recent Examples on the Web
Today’s college students are thinking about careers long before commencement rolls around.
—
Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The commencement announcement comes about two months after Texas State University announced plans to award Sheridan an honorary doctorate.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
As was the closing ceremony/commencement that took place Sunday morning.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 4 Apr. 2025
The demonstrations came to a head when activists occupied Hamilton Hall, shifting the rest of the semester online and canceling university-wide commencement.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commencement
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Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The commencement announcement comes about two months after Texas State University announced plans to award Sheridan an honorary doctorate.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
As was the closing ceremony/commencement that took place Sunday morning.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 4 Apr. 2025
The demonstrations came to a head when activists occupied Hamilton Hall, shifting the rest of the semester online and canceling university-wide commencement.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commencement. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commencement
noun
com·mence·ment
kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt
1
: an act, instance, or time of commencing
2
: the ceremonies or the day for presenting degrees or diplomas to graduates of a school or college
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